84. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture what increase in acreage of spring wheat has been arranged, in view of the high prices ruling and the present shortage of supplies; and what provision for the increase of this year's winter sowing, if any, has been made?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonIt is for farmers themselves to decide how much land to sow to wheat or any other crop. I have no information as to the current area sown to spring and winter wheat respectively. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the acreage under wheat in the United Kingdom has increased by over 40 per cent. in recent years.
§ 86. Mr. Leckieasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the steadily advancing price of wheat and the exceptionally high figure it has now reached, he will take powers to control it, as was done in the Great War, thus preventing hardship and discontent among the people?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir. Although the price of wheat has advanced from the abnormally low levels of recent years, it is still lower than in any of the years 1924 to 1929. In any case, the increase that has occurred recently is due to world causes which the Government cannot control.